Assistant professor for ERC Starting Grant in Biochemistry 100 %

Join a Leading Academic Institution

The University of Zurich, renowned for its vibrant research and educational environment, invites talented individuals to explore enriching career opportunities across various professional fields. With approximately 10,000 employees and 12 diverse professional apprenticeship streams, it stands as Switzerland's largest university and is committed to advancing research and education.

Opportunity for Scientific Advancement

We are looking for motivated individuals to contribute to the ongoing development of our department, specifically in the disciplines of molecular and cellular biochemistry and biophysics. We particularly encourage applications from scientists who are skilled in computational methods to tackle complex biomolecular challenges.

Qualifications and Expertise

Successful candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• A PhD-equivalent degree with postdoctoral experience.
• An outstanding scientific track record in relevant research areas.

Interdisciplinary Research Environment

The Department of Biochemistry is recognized for its interdisciplinary emphasis, merging structural biology, biophysics, and computational sciences with biomedical fields such as molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology. Our team is engaged in cutting-edge research focusing on:

• Protein engineering
• Computational biochemistry
• Membrane protein biophysics
• Single-molecule spectroscopy
• Cryo-electron tomography
• Genome editing
• Molecular systems biology

With access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure, including advanced cryo-electron microscopy and computational resources, we foster an environment conducive to excellent collaborative opportunities.

Diversity and Inclusion

As an equal opportunities employer, the Department of Biochemistry is dedicated to enhancing the representation of women in senior scientific roles.

Application Process

Applicants are encouraged to prepare a comprehensive application package, including the following documents in a single PDF file:

• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) with details including:
  • Education and academic experience
  • Net academic age (2-7 years post-PhD)
  • Awards, fellowships, and externally funded projects
• Research plan and teaching statement (maximum 5 pages) comprising:
  • Outline of the planned research project
  • Publication list
  • Teaching portfolio and details on supervisory roles
• Reference letters: Please arrange for two to be submitted directly.

Important Dates

The deadline for submitting applications is June 18, 2026. Successful candidates will be invited for online interviews at the end of June or beginning of July. The call for ERC Starting Grant applications is already open, with a deadline of October 14, 2026. The anticipated start date for new positions is early 2028.